Christmas Brothers
by Rob Warr
Chapter 4
I'd been outside the orphanage before, doctor visits, to the library, field trips, etc, but this time it was as I was seeing the world outside my door for the first time. The sky was blue with puffy white clouds moving so fast it was as if they were trying to outrun Mr. Nelson's Cadillac. Yeah, Cadillac. Boy, these folks must be rich, I thought, but in a way that worried me. What if their friends and the rest of the family didn't think an orphan boy like me was good enough to be their son? I sighed and went back to gazing out the window, marveling at each passing sight, and before long I forgot my worries and was actually looking forward to this weekend.
No way was I prepared for the sight of the Nelsons' home though. Oh, it wasn't a mansion or anything, which I had kinda feared it might be, but it was big enough, and beautiful, in a nice neighborhood with lots of trees and sidewalks, and other nice houses all around. They even had a two-car garage and when we pulled into the drive, Mr. Nelson pushed a button on this little square box he had and I swear one of the doors went up. It was like magic, and just one of many magical things I would see over the next two days.
"I thought we'd show you the house first, and your room," Mrs. Nelson said, "and if you're hungry I'll fix you a snack. Later, we're going out to dinner at our favorite restaurant."
"I...hope it's not too fancy," I said worriedly. Even though I'd brought my best clothes, they weren't all that great.
"Oh, don't worry, Zeke," Mr. Nelson said, "it's a family restaurant and no one dresses up."
"We like to go there because the food is good, and...I'll confess: because we love seeing families with their children. We've actually made a few friends by stopping to compliment the parents on their children's behavior or by telling them how cute their kids are," Mrs. Nelson chuckled.
From the garage we went into a short hallway and Mrs. Nelson pointed out what she called the mudroom, but her washer and dryer looked nothing like the big things we had at the orphanage. There was a small bathroom there too, with just a sink and toilet and I wondered where they bathed.
Then there was the kitchen, which was amazing, with shiny chrome everywhere and a huge gas stove and a refrigerator and lots of cabinets, which I would find out later were full of all sorts of things, including lots of food.
From the kitchen I was led into a room that was down a step that they called the den or family room. There was a fireplace on one side and so many places to sit that I wondered why they needed all that seating with only the two of them. There was something else there, something I'd never seen before, and for a moment I didn't know what it was. Sure, I'd seen pictures of a television set, but this was the first one I'd ever seen in person. This one was in a huge wooden box (called a console I later learned) which was intricately carved, and had red velvet trim behind these grates that I later learned held speakers. And as if just having a TV wasn't enough, it also held a phonograph. And...to my amazement, the pictures on the TV were in color.
"I'll show you the outside tomorrow," Mr. Nelson said pointing to two big glass doors that I assumed led outside, "right now, lets see the rest of the house."
I was amazed to find there was another living area, this one with no TV, but a wall with shelves that held hundreds of books and a table top phonograph and almost as many phonograph records as books. And...the neatest thing of all: a shiny black upright piano.
There was a room with a desk and more books that Mr. Nelson said was his office, and...and I'm not making this up, another full bathroom down there with a tub and two sinks and a toilet in a separate little room. I know, cause I had to pee and I used it.
But that wasn't all. That was just the downstairs. Up the wide carpeted stairs I was led to the second floor and as we came out onto another hallway I saw there were five doors lining the hallway, three on the right and two on the left.
"Our bedroom is the last door on the left," Mr. Nelson said, and your room is right across from us. Come on, I think you're going to like what we've done with it."
My room? I thought, my head spinning from all I'd seen and heard. Was this for real? Was I about to walk into a room filled with wonderful things, or into a dungeon where I'd be held and fed only bread and water? I laughed, I definitely had been reading too many horror stories.
The door was painted a light blue, the knob was shiny brass, and as Mr. Nelson pushed it open there was no creaking as there might have been in one of the books I'd read. Instead it glided effortlessly open to reveal a large carpeted room with...all those wonderful things I'd only dreamed of.
A bed with a blue and white printed bedspread and matching drapes. It took me a minute to figure out what the print was: and when I did, I smiled, baseball bats, gloves, and baseballs. Even the lamp said baseball, the base a glove and ball with a bat going up from that and holding the bulb and shade.
There was a bookcase with books and records as well and...to my complete surprise and disbelief, a phonograph just like the one downstairs, only this one had two speakers which were placed on either side of the bed.
There was a desk and chair, and more shelves on the wall, but those were empty at the moment.
As if to explain, Mr. Nelson said, "We left you room for your own stuff, you know, models or trophy's, stuff boys collect..."
"I...don't know what to say. You did all this just for me?"
"Yes, and we had so much fun," Mrs. Nelson said smiling.
I don't know why that bit of information had such an effect on me, but suddenly I was bawling like a four-year-old who'd peed his bed. The Nelsons looked shocked at first, but Mrs. Nelson moved quickly, wrapping me in her arms and holding me as the worst of it passed.
"I know it's a lot to take in all at once," she cooed, "perhaps we went a bit overboard, but we meant well."
"It's not that," I sobbed, "I just...I don't feel like I deserve this. There are kids at the or...orphanage who deserve it more...like my friend Charlie."
"You two are very close," Mrs. Nelson said softly, "I could see it in your eyes and in the way you behave around each other."
And I kissed him in front of you, I thought as I wilted a little. What must she think?
"There's no reason why you two can't continue to be friends," Mr. Nelson said, surprising me, "it's not that far to the orphanage, and perhaps with Dr. Asher's permission he could come visit you here, sleepover even."
"Really?" I said wiping at my eyes, "that would be great."
"Are you hungry, Zeke?" Mrs. Nelson said giving me one last hug, "how about a sandwich and some chips to tide you over till dinner?"
I hadn't realized I was hungry till she said that and suddenly my stomach growled and we all laughed.
"I'll take that as a yes," Mrs. Nelson giggled, "why don't you show Zeke the rest of the upstairs...and, the bathroom, while I fix our snack," she said to her husband.
The other bedrooms had the basics, a bed and nightstand, a dresser, and that was about all. Mr. Nelson called them guest rooms, though it didn't appear that they were used much. He saved the best for last though, the bathroom.
If I thought the downstairs bath was cool, this one blew the other one out of the water. This one had a separate shower, bathtub, double sink and like the other one, the toilet was in a separate little room with a sink in there too. Wow, talk about overkill. It was done up in blue and white tile which looked new, and I wondered if they'd had it redone when they'd decorated 'my' bedroom.
By the time I'd oohed and ahed over the bathroom, Mrs. Nelson had our sandwiches ready and I was in for another shocker. The sandwiches were like nothing I'd ever eaten before. Sliced roast beef, some white looking cheese that was delicious, and the chips were name brand, not generic. Not that we got chips much at the orphanage, but when we did they were not name brand.
"Tea, juice, milk, or soda?" Mrs. Nelson had asked me.
Soda? Soda? I'd only had soda once or twice in my twelve years, but I was still torn between that and milk. Reluctantly I chose milk, then perked up when Mrs. Nelson asked me if I wanted chocolate in it. Chocolate in milk?...heck yeah. That was the day I learned what Ovaltine was.
After our snack, as Mrs. Nelson called it, I offered to help clean up, but Mrs. Nelson suggested instead that her husband show me the backyard. I hadn't thought much about the outside of this wonderful house, but if I was to live here, I'd definitely want someplace to run and play.
"Naturally it's too cold for the pool," Mr. Nelson said as he slid one of the glass doors open and led me out onto a covered patio which must've been at least ten feet deep and fifteen wide. There was furniture out here too, only it looked as if it was made to be outside, and a built in cooker which I would later learn was Mr. Nelson's pride and joy.
But of course the pool was by far the most interesting thing in the backyard, though there were plenty of other things that I would eventually marvel at. The pool wasn't big by any standards, actually about the same size as the patio, but it had a wide tiled decking around it and a slide, and a diving board, though the pool itself was covered with what looked like a huge tarp, I guessed for the winter so no rain or snow would get in it.
"Wow," was all I could say and Mr. Nelson chuckled.
"It was here when we moved in, and it's become a focal point of the neighborhood, especially for our neighbors' kids," he added, "There are quite a few kids around your age in the neighborhood and I'm sure you'll make friends quickly."
Besides the pool there was a flower garden, though bare at the moment, and a lawn big enough for a nice game of touch football. At the very back of the fenced-in yard was a small outbuilding where Mr. Nelson said they kept their gardening tools and such, but that he didn't own a lawnmower since he paid a lawn service to do that.
"Too bad," I joked, "I could've mowed it."
He chuckled, "There will be enough chores without that, but not right away...if you decide to stay we want you to become adjusted before we put too much on you."
That worried me a little, but what could they possibly ask me to do that I hadn't already done in all those years at the orphanage? I could clean, scrub, sweep, mow, weed, cook, you name it. They taught us everything to prepare us for the day we aged out and had to leave.
"Let's sit a moment," Mr. Nelson said pointing to a wooden yard swing beneath a sprawling tree that must've been a hundred years old. The leaves were gone this late in the year, but it was still impressive and the limbs so massive that they blocked a great deal of the sun. Not that we cared, the sunshine felt good on this December day, the air was fresh and crisp, and I had never felt so alive.
"So, what do you think so far?" he asked after a few minutes of rocking back and forth as he propelled us with his feet. My feet dangled over the side and I swung them in rhythm with the swing creating a counterbalance of sorts.
"I think it's amazing," I said excitedly, "but...I can't help but worry what your, um, friends and family will say when they meet me and find out where I came from." There. I'd said it and if he had doubts too then I expected him to be just as honest with me as I'd been with him.
He laughed, "We've already discussed this with our families and they are thrilled at the prospect of having a new addition to the family. Don't let this house and the car and the money fool you, we are plain down to earth people who just happen to be blessed. As for our friends, most of them have kids of their own and they just see it as one more playmate for their kids. No one is going to judge you for where you came from, and if you impress them as much as you impressed us, well...they will all love you just as much as we do."
"You, umm...said love," I said looking at him sideways, my cheeks a little blushed.
"Yes, son," Mr. Nelson said placing his arm around my neck, "we loved you the moment we met you," he stared into the distance for a moment as if thinking of what to say next, then turned to me once again, "we have wanted a child for so long, and though we're not what you'd call religious people, we have prayed to God many times for him to send us one. And then we found out about the orphanage at the fundraiser, and well...I guess we thought that our prayers might've been answered. Then we met you, and there was magic," he frowned, "didn't you feel it too?" he added as if disappointed.
What should I say, lie or tell the truth?
"I can't lie, sir, I didn't feel like I'd be chosen. There are so many boys there that deserve to be adopted and I just figured I was too old. But now that you have told me how you feel I guess I sort of look back and see things I didn't understand then. I mean, I can't lie, I thought about what it would be like to be adopted and how it would be if you chose me, but I didn't think I had a chance. Charlie and I talked about it, but neither of us thought we'd be chosen."
"It wasn't about age, you know that?"
I nodded.
"It was about chemistry. Do you know what that means?"
"Sure, we study chemistry in school," I said grinning.
"It's not that kind of chemistry. This kind of chemistry is when people meet and find they have something in common, sometimes a lot of things, and that they just naturally get along. Does that make sense?'
"Oh, like me and Charlie. We became pals the first day we met, so I guess we have chemistry."
"Yes, like that. My wife and I felt that way about you, and we hoped you'd feel the same way, but I understand that things are much different for you than for us. I do hope that in time you will come to feel about us as we already feel about you, that is: if you decide to stay, but we won't pressure you in any way. It must be your decision, because ultimately it's your life, not just ours."
"I don't know, so far it's all been great, but almost too much to deal with at once. Do you know what I mean?"
"Yes, it must be overwhelming. Well, I tell you what, I'll talk to my wife and we'll try to tone things down a little. How's that sound?"
"Not too much though," I said grinning, "I kinda like the surprises so far."
He laughed and surprised me by pulling me closer and kissing the top of my hair. It felt weird, but nice, and when he released me I gave him a big smile.
"Sorry, I've always wanted to do that," he said blushing, "I see my friends doing that to their children, especially their sons, and it just looks so...warm and loving."
"I liked it," I confessed, "I've never really had anyone show me any affection though, except Charlie, I said blushing as well, "so it may take me some time to get the hang of things."
"He smiled sadly, "I'm so sorry, Zeke, but I know the orphanage does the best they can for you boys. It's a shame they can't provide for your emotional well being as well as your physical needs."
"Oh, I'm not saying no one cares," I said quickly, "some of the staff are really nice to us boys and the nurse always gives us a hug when she patches us up or gives us medicine."
"Well, hugs were a big thing in both our families while growing up, so expect lots of them here, but not till you're ready. Shall we go inside now? I'd like to show you my workshop."
Something had been bothering me since entering the Nelson's house, but it wasn't until we stepped back inside that what it was finally hit me. Despite it being only a week or so till Christmas, there were no decorations, no tree, and I wondered if these people didn't celebrate the Holiday. That might be a problem, since Christmas was my favorite time of the year, so I decided to find out where they stood on that subject.
Mrs. Nelson had joined us as we came inside and now that I had both of them there I cleared my throat to get their attention, then voiced my concern.
"Umm, I was wondering, don't you guys decorate for Christmas?"
Mrs. Nelson laughed, "Yes, we both love Christmas very much, but...we wanted to wait till you came so we could do the decorating together. How does that sound?"
I guess my smile said it all, and with that Mr. Nelson led the way to his 'workshop'. If I had just kept quiet a few more minutes my Christmas question would have been answered, for in Mr. Nelson's workshop was all the stuff we'd need to decorate the house, inside and out.
There were even lawn ornaments and an animated Santa that said 'Ho Ho Ho' and waved it's arms. A million lights and tinsel and ornaments and every thing imaginable, well...everything except the tree, which I was told we'd be picking up later from the tree lot near the house. For this Mr. Nelson would use their other vehicle (who has two vehicles?) a pickup truck. It was an older Ford and Mr. Nelson said it had belonged to his grandfather, who seldom drove it and had taken extremely good care of it.
In addition to all the Christmas stuff in the workshop there were all sorts of tools, some I recognized and some I didn't. Power saws and drills, and even an air compressor, which I asked about since I'd never seen one before.
My husband likes to tinker," Mrs. Nelson explained, "and he makes things, including children's toys. At Christmas we take toys to the Children in the hospital and the wooden toys he makes are very popular with the younger ones."
"That's cool, just like Santa Claus, huh?" I teased.
"Ho, ho, ho," Mr. Nelson said, "we love children, and we hope to make you our son, but like I said, no pressure," he added grinning.
"Boys, I'm going to go make some phone calls. Why don't you show Zeke some of the toys you've made and give him a tour of the workshop?" she said to her husband.
"Sure, dear...go make your calls. That will give Zeke and I a chance to bond," he said grinning.
The toys were simple, but well made, painted in bright colors and safe even for the youngest kids cause all parts were securely attached. Even the wheels on the various trucks, cars, and trains, were securely attached, glue where necessary or screwed on with some sort of goop that keeps the screws in place, or so Mr. Nelson told me.
"Do you think you'd like to learn to work with your hands?" Mr. Nelson asked after a while.
"I think the saws would be kind of scary, but just gluing and painting would be fun."
Mr. Nelson chuckled, "Yes, the saws can be intimidating, and they are dangerous if not treated with care. We'll start you with hand tools and work our way up, how does that sound?"
"Fine, sir," I said as I picked up a toy airplane and examined it closely, "this is really neat," I said, "it even has a pilot."
The toy in my hand was a bi-plane, the body natural pine, the wheels and propeller bright blue, and there were markings and stripes on the wings and body. The pilot was hand-painted with a beige face, blue eyes, red lips, a brown helmet and goggles that were actually clear so his eyes showed through. Such detail must've taken hours, but it was only one of many toys with just as much detail.
"Why don't you take that one for yourself?" Mr. Nelson said, "It's yours no matter what. It would look nice in your room or...if you decide this isn't for you, you can find a place for it at the orphanage," he said sounding almost sad.
More bribery? I thought, then chuckled to myself, what was a wooden airplane when I was being offered so much more, just for agreeing to be their son? A grand house, a room of my own, a backyard pool, good food, new clothes, friends living nearby, how could I pass all that up? And yet...there was this ache in the pit of my stomach at the thought of leaving Charlie behind. We'd been through so much together and just when we'd finally figured out what we really meant to each other, I would be leaving. Torn between two futures, I kept considering my options, over and over, but I was no closer to an answer.
After a half hour or so, Mrs. Nelson returned and this time she had her purse with her, car keys in hand.
"Zeke, honey, we're going to go shopping now while Mr. Nelson hauls all this stuff out of here and gets it ready for us to put up tonight."
Mr. Nelson groaned, "What good is a son if he can't help his dad haul out the Christmas stuff?" he teased.
"You'll be okay," Mrs. Nelson said, "I need Zeke with me so I can make sure he gets the right sizes."
"I know, I'm kidding," Mr. Nelson said tousling my hair, "go on, kiddo, and let my wife pamper you for a while. When you get back we'll go to dinner, swing by and pick up the tree and spend the rest of the evening decorating inside. Tomorrow we'll tackle the outside, but for that I have enlisted the help of some of my friends and family."
I was shocked by that news. Was I going to be put on display and interrogated by those family members and friends this soon? Needless to say I was a bit upset as I followed Mrs. Nelson to the Cadillac. However, she didn't seem to notice, perhaps thinking that my mood change was connected to the upcoming shopping trip.
"We're going to Sears first, then if they don't have what we want we'll head to J.C. Penneys. Both have good quality clothing at reasonable prices. Mr. Nelson and I don't believe in wasting money on overpriced items," she explained, and I relaxed a little. Though this would be my first new clothing, I was glad it wouldn't be costing them a lot of money.
The store was huge, spread over three levels, however the men and boys' section was on the first floor and that's where we headed first.
"We're in luck, they have a wonderful sale going on. We'll be able to get you everything we need here. Now then, let's find a clerk and get you measured and fitted..."
Guys, have you ever had your inseam measured by a lady salesclerk? Well, if you have then you know how embarrassing it is, especially when their fingers brush against your balls or...your pecker. Fortunately I was too terrified by the whole experience to throw wood, because if I had I'm sure I would have died right there on the spot.
After the inseam thing, the rest of the measuring seemed tame, and before I knew it I had a handful of pants and shirts to try on in a little room with a door that only came down to about a foot of the floor. I guess that was so people could see if there was anyone in there, cause you could see their feet, but I was thinking, they can probably see me drop my pants too and that was kind of embarrassing. So, to keep from someone knowing I was pants-less I stuck to the very back corner.
There was a full length mirror in there too, and once I had the first outfit on I stood in front of it and looked myself over. Was that really me? I marveled, could clothes really make that much difference in how a guy looked? I liked what I saw, but there was a little nagging voice inside me that said, this isn't really you. You're an orphan boy, not some rich folk's kid. It was depressing at first and I had to fight back the feeling and squash the voices in my head by reminding myself that the Nelsons had chosen me, and that I was just as worthy as any other kid, orphan or not.
Mrs. Nelson insisted on seeing each outfit and she poked and prodded and pulled at the waistband and checked me front and back before approving of the fit. All three outfits fit perfectly, according to her, and I agreed, now to figure out which one I liked most.
"We'll take all three," Mrs. Nelson said surprising the heck out of me.
Three new outfits, no way. Was this a dream.
"And we'll need underwear and socks, oh and some of those A-shirts the boys like to wear," she added a my jaw dropped open.
New underwear? Unthinkable. Socks without holes? No way. And yet it was happening. More bribes, I thought, but I really didn't think that was true, I was just trying to justify the unjustifiable, that these people really loved me, and wanted me, and were providing for me even if I hadn't said yes yet.
The tears came quickly and even the clerk noticed. She gave Mrs. Nelson a knowing look and went oft to fetch the underwear and socks while Mrs. Nelson pulled me into a hug and comforted me.
"Shhh, honey, it's all right. I understand, this is a bit overwhelming for you. I'm trying too hard, aren't I. I should have taken things a bit slower, but we only have the two days and I wanted to make the most of them."
"It's fine," I sniffed, "I just, you're so nice and all. I'm not used to being the center of attention."
"Well, if you decide to let us adopt you, you will be the center of attention full time," she chuckled.
The salesclerk had returned with the underwear and socks and she waited for Mrs. Nelson to give me one last hug before speaking.
"I brought several kinds for the young man to choose from. They should be his size based on the size pants and shirts he tried on earlier."
"Boxers or briefs, tube socks or crew socks?" Mrs. Nelson said looking as confused as I was, "oh, my, we'll take both. He can decide which he likes better as he wears them," she added laughing.
I almost objected, but I was thinking, I can share these with Charlie and maybe some of the other boys, even if I don't decide to get adopted. They said they were mine no matter what.
"Shoes," Mrs. Nelson said once she'd paid for the clothing. I didn't want to know how much she spent, so I stayed as far away from the register as I could, checking out a display of winter coats and thinking boy, wouldn't the kids at the orphanage like one of these.
"Are you ready, Zeke?" Mrs. Nelson said, then seeing where I'd been looking she seemed to perk up some, "Maybe we should get you a nice winter coat too..."
"No, ma'am, I'm fine there," I lied, "my coat was two years old and passed down from one of the older boys who'd outgrown it, but it had been patched and washed and it kept me warm and that was all that mattered.
"Well, maybe later. But for now, we definitely need to get you some new shoes."
"I couldn't dispute her word there, my hand-me-down Keds had a hole at the toe and were starting to hurt my feet because they were just a little too small. As with the clothing, I'd never had new shoes, and the prospect of that was actually more exciting than all the rest. Little did I know, new shoes require breaking in, but I'd learn that quickly enough.
She bought me not one, but two pair of shoes that day. A pair of white tennis shoes and a pair of ankle high boots that seemed to fit like a glove. I was proudest of those boots, and even though it would take a while to break them in properly, I wore them every chance I got.
It was finally time to head back and I sat in the front seat of the Cadillac, our purchases in the back seat, all except for the boots which I still wore. Occasionally I'd look down at them and smile and a few times Mrs. Nelson caught me looking and smiled back at me.
"You didn't have to buy me all this stuff," I said, the boots would have been enough to win me over, I didn't add.
"I know, but I wanted to," she said, "it was fun. I've always envied my lady friends who had children. Sometimes I'd go shopping with them, and when they'd dress out their kids in new clothes I felt so jealous that I didn't have a child to dress up. I know, it's selfish of me, but I wanted you to have these things...no matter what."
"You're making it awfully hard to say no," I said giving her a serious look, then I smiled, "but it's a big decision and I have to do what's best for me and..."
"And?" she asked, daring her eyes my ways.
"For everyone," I said, only what I really meant was, Charlie.
"Hmm, I feel like there is someone or something holding you back. Am I right?"
"I can't really talk about it," I said clamming up.
She nodded, "Well, if there is something holding you back, I promise Mr. Nelson and I will do anything within our power to overcome that obstacle."
The only way would be to adopt both of us, I mused, and fat chance of that. But I was encouraged that she wanted to help in any way she could. Maybe we could make it work. Mr. Nelson said Charlie could come and visit, even sleepover, and maybe we could still be boyfriends even if we didn't live together.
We arrived at the Nelson's house, then together we carried the stuff to 'my' room. My room, man, that felt good to say.
"Why don't you take a nice warm shower and put on some of your new underwear and this blue outfit? It looks so good on you. And you can wear your new boots. You seem to really like those," she chuckled.
A shower? I hadn't planned on getting naked while I was visiting, I chuckled to myself, but why not? A nice hot shower might help me to clear my mind.
Mr. Nelson joined us then and Mrs. Nelson filled him in on her plans.
"I'm going to go freshen up a bit," she said at last, "Dan, why don't you get Zeke squared away in the bathroom."
Dan? Oh, Mr. Nelson's name was Dan.
"Okay, dear," he said kissing her on the cheek, "I'm glad you two had fun shopping," he added with a chuckle.
So I grabbed my stuff and followed Mr. Nelson (Dan) to the bathroom, wondering if he was going to stay while I showered and what I'd do if he did. Not that I was body shy, but except for medical exams I'd never been naked in front of an adult. Well, maybe once or twice in the showers, but not up close and in person like we'd be here.
"Here's the soap, shampoo, there's a hair dryer in this drawer, he said demonstrating, oh, and towels here," he said pulling two fluffy white towels off a wire rack, then adding a washcloth. I'm sure you know how to work a shower," he chuckled, sounding nervous, "just make sure the water is the right temp before you step in. Don't want you to get burned," he added grinning.
"Thanks," I said expectantly.
"So, then I'll leave you to it, When you're dressed just come on down to the family room, and hopefully by then Lisa will be ready to go," he chuckled.
Lisa? Oh, Mrs. Nelson, now I knew both their names, but they were still ma'am and sir, and Mr. and Mrs. Nelson to me.
He closed the door on the way out and I quickly undressed and started the water. The pressure was strong and the water heated up quickly and in no time at all I was under the shower head and enjoying the feel of the hot water caressing my body. The shower head had that massage setting on it and I turned to let the powerful jet knead my back and neck for awhile, then turned it back to spray and soaped up. I was thinking, I could really get used to this, my own private bathroom, and then I thought of Charlie. How wonderful would it be if we both lived here? Sharing this shower and making love in here or in my room, and living a life of luxury?
I was a little depressed thinking that it was just a dream and that only one of us would be living the good life, but there was still that little glimmer of hope that Charlie and I could remain friends even if I allowed myself to be adopted.
I'd chosen a pair of the new white briefs and I was amazed at how good they felt against my body. No worn sagging elastic and the pouch held my junk just right. There was a mirror on the back of the door, and I just had to check myself out, and I looked fabulous. So sexy that I wasn't sure it was me at first.
I laughed at my reflection, did some posing, then decided I'd better get dressed before I dragged myself out of the mirror and had my way with my reflection.
Mrs. Nelson was right, the blue outfit did look good on me. I'd dried my hair a bit, but not all the way and now I brushed it with the new hair brush the Nelsons had provided and stared at myself in the mirror again.
"Hot stuff," I giggled to myself.
There was a new toothbrush too, well actually several, and I chose a blue one and brushed my teeth using the new tube of Crest. I rinsed and spit and looked in the mirror once more. Who was that handsome rich boy staring back at me? I mused, then I frowned, could I really leave my other life behind and be Zeke Nelson?
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